I wrote this poem while sitting in my work van some years ago .

I was in way out in the middle of no where, but still saw signs of civilization. Or so I thought.

Civilized?

Telephone poles and street signs. Planes in the air, cars fly by.

All reminders that we’re civilized.

What is silence? It exists no more.

Even at 12 in the dead of night, still I hear a subtle roar.

Electronic gadgets throughout my house,

reminds me again of what civilization is all about.

Go anywhere on earth no need for distress.

Dial up Google Earth or get your G.P.S.

Oh how everyone lost is found.

This is the movement of civilization from then to now.

Anything you need at your fingertips, a house on a hill or even facelift.

Not even the moon is far away, if you have few million bucks to pay.

How I love to be civilized, all my dreams can be realized.

One more thing, hold on just wait.

Just one more point that makes civilization great.

We keep the news on everyday, we watch, we pray, we stay away.

Pain, hunger, sad and crying, all around us people dying.

Man here we go, this is too much to take.

I have my own problems. I’ve got this money to make.

I turned off the tube and deeply I sighed.

Its not my problem or even my fault.

Just leave it alone, Is what I’ve been taught.

So how long can a man watch people die

and still make the claim that he is,

civilized?